GOALKEEPER Owain Fon Williams counts clean sheets like strikers count goals – and the Welshman is well ahead of his personal target as he approaches the final game of Tranmere’s season this weekend.

Fon Williams has shut out the opposition 16 times in all competitions this season and dares to hope he might squeeze out the 17th at the expense of Scunthorpe United at Prenton Park tomorrow.

“It’s been a good season for me,” said the 25-year-old from a village near Caernarfon. “I have 16 clean sheets not counting the game on Saturday, and I did not think I would get that many.

“I always set myself a personal target which I don’t share with anyone else and at the start of the season that target was 12. Getting to 16 – well, I will take that all day.”

Fon Williams had spells with Crewe Alexandra, Stockport County and Rochdale before signing a two-year contract with Tranmere last summer.

He’s made 39 appearances so far this season, missing 10 games between November and January because of a broken thumb and also missing the 4-2 defeat at Colchester United last Saturday because of suspension. Teenager Andy Coughlin deputised that day “and did well,” said Fon Williams.

He believes it is important Tranmere “do it right” against Scunthorpe and end a rollercoaster season on a high in front of their home supporters.

“We achieved the first aim of the season which was to be safe in this division,” Fon Williams said.

“And we’re more than safe, we are comfortable after the results over the last couple of months. At the start of the season we were right up there and playing well.

“Then towards the end we found the form that would have got us right up there again.

“The middle part of the season, when things were difficult, was sink or swim time. It is easy to dwell on things and feel sorry for yourself when they go badly. But we rolled our sleeves up and fought our way out of trouble.”

Fon Williams saw the change of manager in early March, when Ronnie Moore replaced Les Parry, as the turning point.

“When the new gaffer came in we hit the ground running and got the results we needed straight away,” Fon Williams said. “The pressure has been off us over the last few weeks. It gives you a lot of confidence to be going out onto the pitch knowing you’ve got those results behind you.”

Fon William says he is optimistic about the prospects for next season. “I can’t see why we should not challenge for the play-offs next season,” he said. “I remember, when I first joined this club last summer, looking around the place and thinking how impressive it is. This is a big club and I think we need to go into next season with the thought of trying to get into the top six.

“When you look at the way we performed at places like Charlton and Sheffield United this season, it shows we are not a million miles away from being a decent side.”

Moore says he plans to give Martin Devaney a starting role against Scunthorpe. The winger has made a first-team starts since Moore took charge 12 games ago, because of injury problems.

Moore said: “I want to have a look at Martin Devaney. If you can keep him fit has quality. Looking at his record he does not play many games because of injury.”